A store credit of 25 cents is offered for every book that can be resold. Higher value/sets are 25% of resell value.

There is no limit to how much store credit someone can have, but there is a weekly credit use of 30 books (including books on sale.) Credit cannot be used on local author books or merchandise. Credit can only be used on sets or higher value books if a trade included a set or higher value- that value can be applied to the purchase of a set or higher value book.

Most donations are accepted for books that are in good, healthy condition.

For donations of 100 or more books- please make advanced arrangements. If there is not enough space in storage, or if the drop off is at a busy time- unplanned, large drop offs may be declined.

Donations must be during business hours only- please do not leave donations inside or outside of the building. The building is shared with other businesses and with respect to their work, all donations need to come directly to Shelf Life when I am there to receive them directly from you.
Please avoid donating books that are listed below.

Please do not donate boxes that have fillers like newspapers, magazines, file folders, binders, cardboard, packing material or Styrofoam. Not all donations can be resold or are suitable for the free stand- please help limit the heavy work of recycling. If your intention is to recycle books or material, please ask for advice on where to do this.

Parking on Front Street rather than Riverfront Parkway is best whenever possible. Large/multiple trip loads should come from Front St metered parking.

If what you are bringing in requires assistance, please come to the store first and let me know. I will assist in bringing books in as soon as time allows (it is a good idea to message or email before you stop in).
Shelf Life is on the lower level of the building. There are stairs, no elevator. Please do not attempt to carry anything down that the stairs would create a physical risk of any kind for yourself. I will do all the lifting/moving necessary.

Please leave enough time if you are trading. I will go through the books and give you back what I cannot sell. This will take time based on the number of books you bring in and foot traffic in the store.

Before and after-hour arrangements can be made for large amounts, and are preferred.

Most genres
All age ranges
Mass market paperback
Trade paperback
Hardcover

Damaged, stained, unclean books. Please check the tops of your books- if they are dusty/moldy/etc- please do not bring these in.
Books with odors of any kind (pet, smoke, mildew, excessive perfume, etc)
Books with page foxing (yellowed dots on the page edges), highlighting, underlining, or writing inside (inscriptions are okay).
Cookbooks | Diet/healthy living books | Encyclopedias/Dictionaries | Faith-based books | DIY, gardening, carpentry, hobby | Magazines | Atlases/map books
Books that are missing interactive parts - this applies mostly to children’s books.
Some authors or subjects that have been previously accepted may be declined based on resell demand.
Some books may not be accepted based on content and are at the discretion of ownership.

Non-fiction science and current events
Classics, poetry, philosophy, award-winning authors and novels
BIPOC authors, all genres, all age levels
LGBTQIA+ authors, all genres, all age levels
Banned books, all genres, all ages

Harlequin, Love Inspired, Hallmark and similar romance novels.
Business leadership
Financial advice books
Teacher educational i.e. “how to ___ in your classroom”
Amish fiction
Some authors with series runs

Shelf Life offers local estate pick up with some conditions. For more information please email Danielle@ShelfLifeBookstore.com